The Ontario Food Terminal is the recipient of the 2020 Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association (OFVGA) Industry Award of Merit. The award was presented at the OFVGA annual banquet in Niagara Falls last night.

The award is given in recognition of the work of the thousands of people involved with the Food Terminal, from farmers, wholesalers and sales staff to buyers, maintenance workers, drivers and the countless others that contribute to the ongoing success of that institution.

“This year, the award is given to many individuals. The Ontario Food Terminal is the gem of the Canadian food system and the pride, passion and dedication of the people who make it all happen on a daily basis is something to behold,” says OFVGA Executive Director Alison Robertson.

Located in south Etobicoke, the Ontario Food Terminal is the largest wholesale produce market in Canada, with over two billion pounds of produce sold through the facility annually. It’s a hub for the fruit and vegetable sector and local food in Ontario and Eastern Canada.

The terminal, established in 1954, currently provides a location for 400 farmers to directly market their produce, with another 1,100 farmers marketing product indirectly through sellers at the terminal. Having farmers and wholesalers within one facility enables produce buyers a one-stop shop for all of their needs. The terminal is entirely self-funded through fees paid by users of the terminal.

“Anyone who has visited the terminal knows that it takes a special kind of person to work and thrive there, and each and every one of them needs to be thanked for all that they do,” says Robertson. “Without this huge team of individuals working together, our food system would be vastly different than it is today.”

The OFVGA Award of Merit is presented annually to an individual or an organization that has made outstanding contributions to the fruit and vegetable industry.

The Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association is the voice of Ontario’s fruit and vegetable producers on issues affecting the horticulture sector. Visit www.ofvga.org